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Feature: Luigi's Mansion 10th Anniversary

The ghosts of Luigi’s future – Corbie Dillard

While many gamers will tell you that Luigi's Mansion was little more than a tech demo for Nintendo's GameCube controller, it's still difficult to argue that it really was a great title. Sure, there was simplicity to the tasks involved, especially given that you spent the entire game in one giant mansion, but its engaging gameplay was enough to keep us coming back for more.

It's finally on the way

Considering the game was a huge seller for Nintendo, it's been quite surprising that it's taken nearly a decade for a sequel to be announced. Many of us assumed that this generation had passed the concept by, especially given that Nintendo was already talking about its next console at E3 in June, so it was rather surprising to see the demo for Luigi’s Mansion 2 pop up onscreen at their press conference. Of course what was even more surprising was the fact that this release was not for the Wii or Wii U consoles at all, instead making its debut on the portable 3DS.

Even after seeing the gameplay trailer during the press conference, nothing could prepare us for just how well the game looked and played on the smaller screen of the 3DS. And when you toss in the 3D depth, it really gives the game a whole new feeling of realism. Even things like moving around and tracking ghosts was made so much more realistic by the depth of the onscreen presentation.

After putting in a good half hour or so on the E3 show floor, one thing stood immutably clear: Nintendo might have waited a long time to develop a new Luigi’s Mansion title, but they were doing everything in their power to make it up to fans with the game itself. The demo levels on hand showed just how well the game actually performed on the 3DS screen and even with the different control setup of the system, it played as silky smooth as ever. Even controls such as aiming the flashlight without the use of a second analog stick was quick and painless. Any hesitancy about how the game would fit in on the 3DS was quickly dissipated after our initial test run.

Another facet many people were worried about in bringing Luigi’s Mansion to the small screen was regarding how the game would perform visually. We all know that the 3DS is perfectly capable from a visual standpoint, but it was still rather surprising just how good the game looked. Even having to eat up processing power to display in full 3D, the game looked as detailed and vivid as ever. In fact, it was actually a little shocking to see just how close to its GameCube predecessor it actually looked; yet another example of Nintendo really pouring in the time and effort to get it just right.

The 3DS visuals look impressive

It’s a relief to see that Nintendo isn’t just copying over many of the same gameplay traditions from the original release, instead introducing a host of new gameplay tweaks to not only the play controls themselves, but also the way the levels are set up. It's clear that Nintendo wants to kick things up a notch and given the rather lengthy wait for a sequel, it's nice to see them swinging for the fences on this one. One thing is certain, come 2012, 3DS owners are going to get a steady dose of portable poltergeist poaching, and it’s been a long time coming.

I always liked Luigi's mansion.Even when it was brand new. It was one of the first Gamecube games I bought. Upon loading up the game for the first time I was amazed at what I saw. The graphics made my jaw hit the floor in disbelief. The lightning crashed through the windows and lit up the whole room. It was awesome! I was bummed it was over so soon but what a blast!

i ALWAYS loved luigi's mansion, even when i was somewhere around 5 years old and my parents had given it to me as a christmas present. i played it more than anyone in the house (because i threw a fit whenever they wouldnt let me play), but there came a day when nobody would let me play the game when i was 6, as i thought i was too old for crying. so i was really mad that nobody would let me play. i decided to break the cd. but only until i was 7, did i realize how un that game was. when i was 10, i remembered what fun i had playing that game, so i searched a walkthrough, just for the wonderful nostalgia<3<3. but now im 11. ive had6 wonderful years to play, but only used 2 of those years. i bought a 3ds, for the 3d gaming and graphics, and life was good. but then i saw that nintendo announced luigi's mansion 2! i practically sh*t my pants while crying tears of joy when i had read the news inline and downloaded the e3 trailer off of eshop. yupp. my family has a nature for luigi's mansion, espesially me. this game is gonna be a day 1 buy for me, or an a preorder.

Although it was more of a tech demo then anything, it was great for a thrills and frills adventure to show of the GC, and though I love Sunshine a great deal more, Luigi's Mansion will always a great game <3

Earlier this summer I played Luigi's Mansion just to remember good memories, and I found that the gameplay is still fun. While the game is short, it's very sweet. Come November 18th when it'll be ten years after its North American release, I'll be playing it once again with fondness.

From the recent Japanese trailer from TGS, it looks like Luigi's Mansion 2 will hold up well to its original. I've said it before and will say it again, but I wasn't surprised when the game was annouced because Nintendo had always wanted to make a sequel, specifically Miyamoto and Konno. The original game had 3D capabilities, but they couldn't integrate it into the final product, so it was no wonder that Luigi's Mansion 2 was a perfect fit for the 3DS. If the game sells well enough, Nintendo might even try it on the Wii U. For now, though, let's appreciate how far Luigi has come.

What turned ppl off of Luigi's Mansion 1 is that the game was too easy. You could literally beat it in 3 hours. The original concept however was much darker and scarier and stressing. Luigi had to save Mario within 24 hours of gametime. The game over screen looked mad creepy too. That concept moved over to Pikmin and proved to be a huge turn off but they fixed that in Pikmin 2.

I recall being about ten and getting my GameCube on Christmas morning, along with Super Mario Sunshine, Super Smash Bros.: Melee and Luigi's Mansion. Of the three, this is the one that sticks with me the most today. Even back then, I loved the contrast between the moody, atmospheric style and Luigi's comic hi-jinx. Could not be more excited for the sequel.

I actually just played this game for the first time about two months before E3 2011. I wouldn't consider it a must-play, but I definitely recommend it; it's not the best game I've ever played by any means, but it is certainly unique and something to be appreciated. (You can imagine my excitement when the sequel was announced only two months later. It was really perfect timing for me xD)

The original game is in my queue of horror games to replay between now and Halloween. Unlike all other horror-ish games, though, this one is adorable, and makes me feel like a child watching Halloween specials again.

I'm tired of the gore and zombie nonsense having taken over all things horror-related. I don't see why we can't have more "spooky" and atmospheric games and less of the extreme. We need Luigi's Mansion 2 more than ever.

I bought this game within a year of the gamecube's launch and I thought it was pretty good. Even before I bought it, it was obvious to me that this wouldn't be anything like Super Mario 64. It's nice not to have been burdened with unrealistic expectations.

Happy 10th, Luigi's Mansion! I used to think that this game was underappreciated, but now I have realized that it has quite a strong fanbase. I am proud to be a part of said fanbase. Bring on Luigi's Mansion 2!

A unique game, but kinda boring and repetitive from what i remember. 2 looks like more of the same so i might skip it. I'm wondering though.. since the first game used dual-analog, will this get support from the upcoming add-on?

When this game came out I really wanted it but we never ended up getting a Game Cube. So after awhile of owning a Wii i decided to finally get it. I love this game! I beat it 5 times in a week and i still love it! Can't wait for Luigi's mansion 2!

I'm interested in the 3ds sequel but wasn't super into the original. Yeah, it was very fun but a little on the short side. It was actually more dissapointing that they didn't just make a sequel earlier that was a tad longer or deeper, because it was good but just kind of tailored as a launch seller, and not much else. I loved the vacuum mechanic, so I can't wait for the new one.

I love Luigi's Mansion. I just don't get tired of it. I doubted I'd get Luigi's Mansion 2 cuz of a shortage of money from preordering Special Edition Skyward Sword, Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus, and Sonic Generations. But 2012's enough time...-...need...luigi......along with....REVELATIONS!!!

I still remember when I first played Luigi's Mansion. My twin brother was in hospital due to his heart (we were stuck there for two months, overall), and of course, the Gamecube was (finally!) released during our stay. Well, lady luck was on our side for once, as my brother was granted a 'wish' by the hospital. He chose a Gamecube with Luigi's Mansion and Smash Bros. Melee.

We really didn't expect to receive Melee (as it was still two weeks from release) - but hey presto! - there it was, inside a box along with the console, a memory card, and Luigi's Mansion. On top of that, we also received a translucent aqua N64 and a new TV for our house - which was the cherry on the purple, cube-shaped cake.

Afterwards, stories about the hospital began to emerge. It was said that late at night, you could hear the voice of an Italian man, warbling the words "Maarriioooo!!!" between shrieks of terror...

The gamecube was the first home console that I purchased new, but I didn't get Luigi's Mansion until much later when a local store was liquidating it's gamecube stock. I was pleasantly surprised at how different it was to any other game, let alone any other nintendo game.

Games can age poorly. Some games are on par with the expectations, limitations, imagination, etc. of their time, and their strengths whither as the genres they fall under are improved. Some things aren't as good when better things come around.